This setting was chosen by the photographer to capture the subject, who is an artist, in a pensive mood while she creates.  This brings the focus to the face while keeping the body language central in the composition.

Using a white background for this portrait is all about bathing the subject in translucent white, having her melt into the surrounding white. To achieve this stunning effect requires a wash of light. The photographer used two Paul Buff 86 inch PLM soft silver with diffusion, lighting the sides and background; and a 64 inch PLM in front of the subject.  The light is critical to obtaining this elegant softness of light. This shot required no Photoshop.